Bible Verses and Scriptures About The Birth of Jesus Christ

Bible Verses and Scriptures About The Birth of Jesus Christ - Read what Scripture tells us about the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, the nativity story and why we have the Christian celebration of Christmas.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Luke 1:35
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Matthew 1:18-24
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.


Luke 2:9-14
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."


Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.


Luke 2:1-20
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to his own town to register.  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.


Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem  and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:  " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' "  Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."  After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.


Micah 5:2
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. "

The Titles and Names of Jesus Christ...

The Titles and Names of Jesus Christ

ADAM: (1 Corinthians 15:45) And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

ADVOCATE: (1 John 2:1) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

ALMIGHTY: (Revelation 1:8) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

ALPHA AND OMEGA: (Revelation 1:8) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

AMEN: (Revelation 3:14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

APOSTLE OF OUR PROFESSION: (Hebrews 3:1) Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

ARM OF THE LORD: (Isaiah 51:9) Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?

(Isaiah 53:1) Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH: (Hebrews 12:2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION: (Hebrews 5:9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

BEGINNING OF CREATION OF GOD: (Revelation 3:14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

BELOVED SON: (Matthew 12:18) Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles.

BLESSED AND ONLY POTENTATE: (1 Timothy 6:15) Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

BRANCH: (Isaiah 4:2) In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

BREAD OF LIFE: (John 6:32) Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

CAPTAIN OF SALVATION: (Hebrews 2:10) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

CHIEF SHEPHERD: (1 Peter 5:4) And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

CHRIST OF GOD: (Luke 9:20) He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL: (Luke 2:25) And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

CORNERSTONE: (Psalm 118:22) The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

COUNSELOR: (Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

CREATOR: (John 1:3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

DAYSPRING: (Luke 1:78) Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

DELIVERER: (Romans 11:26) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

DESIRE OF THE NATIONS: (Haggai 2:7) And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

DOOR: (John 10:7) Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

ELECT OF GOD: (Isaiah 42:1) Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

EVERLASTING FATHER: (Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

FAITHFUL WITNESS: (Revelation 1:5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

FIRST AND LAST: (Revelation 1:17) And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

FIRST BEGOTTEN: (Revelation 1:5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

FORERUNNER: (Hebrews 6:20) Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

GLORY OF THE LORD: (Isaiah 40:5) And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

GOD: (Isaiah 40:3) The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

GOD BLESSED: (Romans 9:5) Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

GOOD SHEPHERD: (John 10:11) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

GOVERNOR: (Matthew 2:6) And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

GREAT HIGH PRIEST: (Hebrews 4:14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

HEAD OF THE CHURCH: (Ephesians 1:22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

HEIR OF ALL THINGS: (Hebrews 1:2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

HOLY CHILD: (Acts 4:27) For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

HOLY ONE: (Acts 3:14) But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

HOLY ONE OF GOD: (Mark 1:24) Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL: (Isaiah 41:14) Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

HORN OF SALVATION: (Luke 1:69) And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

I AM: (John 8:58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

IMAGE OF GOD: (2 Corinthians 4:4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

IMMANUEL: (Isaiah 7:14) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

JEHOVAH: (Isaiah 26:4) Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

JESUS: (Matthew 1:21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

JESUS OF NAZARETH: (Matthew 21:11) And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

JUDGE OF ISRAEL: (Micah 5:1) Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.

THE JUST ONE: (Acts 7:52) Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

KING: (Zechariah 9:9) Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

KING OF THE AGES: (1 Timothy 1:17) Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

KING OF THE JEWS: (Matthew 2:2) Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

KING OF KINGS: (1 Timothy 6:15) Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

KING OF SAINTS: (Revelation 15:3) And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

LAWGIVER: (Isaiah 33:22) For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

LAMB: (Revelation 13:8) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

LAMB OF GOD: (John 1:29) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

LEADER AND COMMANDER: (Isaiah 55:4) Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

THE LIFE: (John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

LIGHT OF THE WORLD: (John 8:12) Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH: (Revelation 5:5) And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

LORD OF ALL: (Acts 10:36) The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

LORD OF GLORY: (1 Corinthians 2:8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

LORD OF LORDS: (1 Timothy 6:15) Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

LORD OF OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Jeremiah 23:6) In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

MAN OF SORROWS: (Isaiah 53:3) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

MEDIATOR: (1 Timothy 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT: (Malachi 3:1) Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

MESSIAH: (Daniel 9:25) Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

(John 1:41) He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

MIGHTY GOD: (Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

MIGHTY ONE: (Isaiah 60:16) Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

MORNING STAR: (Revelation 22:16) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

NAZARENE: (Matthew 2:23) And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

ONLY BEGOTTEN SON: (John 1:18) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

OUR PASSOVER: (1 Corinthians 5:7) Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

PRINCE OF LIFE: (Acts 3:15) And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

PRINCE OF KINGS: (Revelation 1:5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

PRINCE OF PEACE: (Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

PROPHET: (Luke 24:19) And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

(Acts 3:22) For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

REDEEMER: (Job 19:25) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

RESURRECTION AND LIFE: (John 11:25) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

ROCK: (1 Corinthians 10:4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

ROOT OF DAVID: (Revelation 22:16) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

ROSE OF SHARON: (Song of Songs 2:1) I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

SAVIOR: (Luke 2:11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

SEED OF WOMAN: (Genesis 3:15) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

SHEPHERD AND BISHOP OF SOULS: (1 Peter 2:25) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

SHILOH: (Genesis 49:10) The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

SON OF THE BLESSED: (Mark 14:61) But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

SON OF DAVID: (Matthew 1:1) The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

SON OF GOD: (Matthew 2:15) And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

SON OF THE HIGHEST: (Luke 1:32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Malachi 4:2) But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

TRUE LIGHT: (John 1:9) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

TRUE VINE: (John 15:1) I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

TRUTH: (John 1:14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

WITNESS: (Isaiah 55:4) Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

WORD: (John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

WORD OF GOD: (Revelation 19:13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

All Scripture taken from King James Bible

God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Healthy Thinking God's Way

Healthy Thinking

Article by:  Dr. Brian Campbell, from
 "Godly Counsel:  Scriptures for today's world..."

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World

“Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

(2 Corinthians 10:5)

Thinking : mental processing; evaluating and reasoning

Our thinking  is greatly influenced by our underlying beliefs.  We have a choice.  We can either believe the lies taught by the world (and the devil ), or believe the truths taught in the Bible, and as manifested in the perfect life of Jesus Christ.

As Christians, God expects us to bring our thinking  into line with the truth  (See Lesson 29).  He pays close attention to our thinking .  We cannot hide our thoughts from God.

Importantly, God has provided us with free will, and the tools and means by which we can begin to change our thought life: by dili­gently studying the truth  as revealed in the Holy Bible;  by focus­ing our thoughts on the life and teachings of Jesus; and by pray­ing for guidance  from the Holy Spirit  (the Spirit of truth ).  In the end, our thinking  is transformed in remarkable and wonder­ful ways, as we become more and more Christ-like.

 

Synopsis

God is deeply concerned about our thinking .¹  We cannot hide our thoughts from God.²  He is aware of everything we are think­ing and knows what we are going to say before we speak.³

I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind.

(Jeremiah 17:10)¹

Yet you know me, O Lord; you see me and test

my thoughts about you.

(Jeremiah 12:3)²

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.

(Psalm 139:4) ³   

God detests the thoughts of the wicked, but is pleased with thoughts of the pure in heart.⁴ Each and every thought we have, whether good or bad, is judged by the standard of God’s Word, as contained in the Holy Bible.⁵

As Christians, we are born with a sinful nature ,⁶ but God has given us the free will to focus our minds on evil , or focus our  thoughts on God and truth . 

The sinful mind is hostile to God, and does not submit to His law.⁷   Those who live according to their sinful nature  have their minds focused on what their sinful nature  desires. On the other hand, those who live according to the Spirit have their minds fo­cused on what the Spirit desires.⁸

The mind of the sinful man leads to death, but the mind con­trolled by the Spirit leads to life and peace.⁹ If we are Spirit filled and focus on God’s Word, we will truly have the mind of Christ.¹⁰space

The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,

but those of the pure are pleasing to him.  (Proverbs 15:26)⁴

For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any

double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul

and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts

and attitudes of the heart.  (Hebrews 4:12)⁵

Surely I was sinful from at birth, sinful from the time

my mother conceived me.  (Psalm 51:5)⁶

The sinful mind is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God’s

 law, nor can it do so.  Those controlled by the sinful nature  

cannot please God.  (Romans 8:7-8)⁷

Those who live according to the sinful nature  have their minds

set on what that nature desires; but those who live in

accordance with the Spirit have their minds set

on what the Spirit desires.

(Romans 8:5)⁸

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)⁹

But we have the mind of Christ.

(1 Corinthians 2:16)¹⁰

Fortunately, God provides a great deal of advice about how we, as Christians, can take control of our thinking  and make it pleasing to Him.

God’s Guidance

First of all, we are to monitor our thoughts and  reject and de­molish any thoughts that run contrary to God’s truth ; we are to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.¹¹  We are to work  to get control over our thinking  and stop thinking  in immature, childish ways.^12,13

We are to stop dwelling on the past and on things we can’t change.¹⁴ We are to focus our thoughts on positive aspects of our lives rather than on the negative—that is, we are to think about whatever is: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, ex­cellent or praiseworthy.¹⁵ 

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself

up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

(2 Corinthians 10:5)¹¹

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child,

I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man,

I put childish ways behind me.

(1 Corinthians 13:11)¹²

Brothers, stop thinking  like children.  In regard to evil  be infants, but in your thinking  be adults.

(1 Corinthians 14:20)¹³

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. 

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining

toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the

prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 3:13-14)¹⁴

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,

whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or

praiseworthy—think about such things.

(Philippians 4:8)¹⁵

We are to stop thinking  as the world thinks, and no longer con­form to the pattern of thought that is prevalent in our society.¹⁶

We are to strive to keep our conscience clear be­fore God.¹⁷  We are to focus our minds on the truth  as revealed by the Holy Spirit ,¹⁸ and fix our thoughts on Jesus,¹⁹  the author and per­fecter of our faith .²⁰

When we get our thinking  straight and aligned with the spiritual truths, healthy emotions naturally follow.  For example, the fruits of the Spirit are: love, joy , peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.²¹

In contrast, if we believe in the lies and the irrational beliefs taught by the world (and by the devil), we will experience negative emotions such as anger (Lesson 4), anxiety (Lesson 5), and de­pression (Lesson 12).  The Bible abounds with information on how to avoid experi­encing these emotions by focusing on the truth , as revealed in the Scriptures .

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be

able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good,

pleasing and perfect will.

(Romans 12:2)¹⁶

So I strive always to keep my conscience clear

before God and man.

(Acts 24:16)¹⁷

But when he, the Spirit of truth , comes,

he will guide you into all truth .

(John 16:13)¹⁸

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess .

(Hebrews 3:1)¹⁹

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,

the author and perfector of our faith .

(Hebrews 12:2)²⁰

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy , peace, kindness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

(Galatians 5:22-23)²¹

Finally, our underlying beliefs (and the thinking  that flows from our beliefs), can have a profound influ­ence on our behavior—that is, the actions we take as Christians. God does not want us to simply hear the word and believe; He wants us to put our beliefs into practice.²² 

The Scriptures  tell us that faith  without action is dead.²³ It is not enough to talk about our faith  to others;²⁴ God requires us to live out our faith  in our own behavior and in our actions toward our fellow man.^25-27

One of the greatest testimonies of our faith  in action is our love for others.  As we come to accept and obey the truth  of the Bible and start to live out the truth  in our thinking  and in our behavior, we will naturally start to love one another deeply, from the heart.²⁸

My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word

and put it into practice.

(Luke 8:21)²²

As the body without the spirit is dead,

so faith  without deed is dead.

(James 2:26)²³

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue

but with actions and in truth .

(1 John 3:18)²⁴

A person is justified by what he does and not by faith  alone.

(James 2:24)²⁵

Now that you know these things,

you will be blessed if you do them.

(John 13:17)²⁶

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. 

Do what it says.

(James 1:22)²⁷

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth  

so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one

another deeply, from the heart.

(1 Peter 1:22)²⁸

Comfort Scriptures

Scriptures on Comfort

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Isaiah 25:8

The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces.

Psalm 34:18

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Isaiah 61:3

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.            

Jeremiah 31:13

The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.

Isaiah 41:10

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

2 Corinthians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

There is hope and it is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus loves us and cares for us. He brings peace and comfort when He comes into our lives.  All we have to do is invite Him into our hearts...


For more scriptures on Grief and Comfort go to Counseling4Christians

Voices - How to know the difference between the Lord’s voice and other voices.

VOICES – TESTING

Psalms 1:1 “Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners,…”

The ungodly has a voice which leads the sinner. This is their own spirit, the spirit of flesh or the spirit of the devil.

Romans 8:15  “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;…”

Only the evil spirit causes fear (II Timothy 1:7).

I Corinthians 14:7 “And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?”

I Corinthians 14:10  “There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.”

Every voice has significance!

I Corinthians 14:11  Paul says, “I know not the meaning of the voice…”

Seek out agreement in His Word! When God guides you or gives you direction, He does not nullify the scriptures, neither will He change them to accommodate that voice!

Hebrews 8:10    “…I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts:…”

I John 2:20 “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”

The inward witness of the Spirit is what leads you into all truth and Jesus is the Spirit of Truth!

I John 2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abide in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, AND IS TRUTH, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him” (John 10:27).

John 10:3, 27    “…the sheep hear His voice: and He calls His own sheep by name, and leads them out. My sheep hear my voice…”

VOICES – “Was that you, Lord?”

How to know the difference between the Lord’s voice and other voices.

John 10:3,5,27      “He calls His own sheep by name…the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice. My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me.”

John 18:37 “Everyone that is of the Truth knows My voice.”

I Corinthians 12:3 “No man can say that Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Ghost.”

Revelations 19:10 “The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy.”

WHEN THE LORD SPEAKS, the following is evident:

AN INWARD KNOWING. Sometimes He speaks words not familiar to you or not common to your vocabulary (I Corinthians 2:13).

PEACE comes into your soul and you are at rest (John 14:27).

TRUSTING with all your heart results (Proverbs 3:5-6)

CONFIDENCE AND ASSURANCE follow (Isaiah 30:15).

AGREEMENT WITH THE WORD OF GOD, the Bible. God will not violate His Word for anyone’s convenience; so the message must be checked with the Bible (II Peter 1:19).

CONFIRMATION. God always confirms His words to you, especially in guidance for action (II Corinthians 13:1).

THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST. Satan may use the word “god,” for he is the “god of this world” (II Corinthians 4:4), but he will not call Jesus Christ “Lord” (I Corinthians 12:3).

CLARITY. Jesus always speaks clearly and in line with His Word, so that you KNOW it is He (II Corinthians 1:20).

WHEN THE DEVIL OR ANOTHER EVIL SPIRIT SPEAKS, the following is evident:

DOUBT, FEAR, DISCOMFORT (II Timothy 1:7; Romans 8:15-16).

CONFLICT, RESTLESSNESS, NO PEACE (James 3:14-18; Isaiah 48:22).

QUESTIONING, WONDERING if it is the Lord (Romans 14:23).

LACK OF CLARITY, CONFUSION. If you have to “work it out” forget it! Satan is the “author of confusion” not God (James 3:16; I Corinthians 14:33).

NEGATION OF THE LORD’S COMMANDS to us personally or through Scripture. When God speaks, Satan soon says the exact opposite, trying to snatch away the Word (Matthew 13:4, 18, 24-30; Genesis 3:4).

LORDSHIP OF CHRIST DENIED, discounted (I John 4:1-6).

CONDEMNATION, GUILT, DISCOURAGEMENT. Satan brings up sins that have already been confessed, forgiven, and forgotten by God (Romans 8:1;  John 3:20; Revelation 12:10).

WHEN THE FLESH-SELF SPEAKS, the following is evident:

HESITATION. Self has to think before it speaks. God’s Word to us flows easily without any preconceptions due to our carnal mind (Romans 8:5-7, 26-27).

DECEPTION. We can be led astray by our own hearts since we do not fully understand ourselves (Jeremiah 17:9-10). So we must feed on the Word until we become mature (Hebrews 5:12).

DOUBLE-MINDEDNESS. Wanting two opposite things at the same time results in instability (James 1:8). Jesus gives us the “single eye” (Matthew 6:22-23) that chooses the Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) so that we can really want to do God’s will (Philippians 2:13). It is the indwelling Spirit that enables us to do this (John 14:16; 16:13).

UNREGENERATE DESIRES. The voice sounds like our own, with our own inflections and intonations, and speaks of the same old desires that you used to indulge in (James 1:13-16). Such desires arise from the flesh, and we must consider ourselves dead to those desires (Romans 6:1-4).